African Arts Academy—The bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world, where innovation meets tradition.
African Arts Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts and arts education organization based in San Francisco, CA.
MISSION
African Arts Academy operates under a profound commitment to the teaching of arts and crafts originating in Africa and the African Diaspora. We preserve and showcase African cultural heritage through art education, performing arts, and special events based on the spirit of cultural diversity, sustainability, and social justice. In bridging traditional forms and ancient wisdom with new technology, African Arts Academy serves to empower and strengthen our community.
OUR VISION
At the African Arts Academy our goal is to change the perspective about people of African descent by teaching the beauty and traditional values of their art. We serve and empower the young generation by providing the skills, knowledge, confidence, and spirit to compete in the world. We believe that our past can empower and inform our future, and AAA is an innovative way to preserve ancient wisdom through art education via new technology; it is where innovation meets tradition!
STORYTELLING
Throughout history, stories have been shared via both oral and written tradition about the countries and the tribes of Africa. Misconceptions and stereotypes about the many different cultures must be challenged through education and the telling of the real stories, as exemplified through art. There were ancient civilizations in Africa before the Arab and European invasions. Behind every piece of African art lies a story that goes back generations, for thousands of years. As we reconnect with our ancestors, we learn and understand the origin of things such as
What was Africa like before colonization?
What kind of art forms did they use to communicate?
What type of foods did they farm, hunt, and eat?
What kind of laws and traditions did the various tribes and countries have?
How do we reconnect all these historical and cultural truths to today’s world?
Throughout history, many stories have been told and written about Africa; however, some stories have led to misconceptions and misunderstandings about the vast continent so rich in culture. Stereotypes against people of African descent, as well as internal conflicts, economic war, and terrorist invasions, left the continent on the brink of losing its identity. It is only through education that we can bring the puzzles back together, focusing on the preservation of African art and cultural heritage. This is where the African Arts Academy comes in handy. Behind every piece of African art lies a story that goes back generations, for thousands of years. A devious and greedy mind will lead societies to encourage racial discrimination and human rights abuse; this should no longer stand in the way of ART!
Meet Our Board of Directors
Fely Tchaco (AKA Leye Martin)
Founder, President, Executive Director
Fely Tchaco (also known as Leye Martin) is the founder-president of the African Arts Academy, a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit in San Francisco dedicated to teaching and celebrating arts and crafts originating in Africa and the African diaspora. Drawing on her roots in Côte d’Ivoire and more than two decades of artistic and community leadership in the Bay Area, Fely is an award-winning singer-songwriter, visual artist, fashion designer, and cultural entrepreneur.
Her creative journey began in Abidjan, where, as a young adult, she released her first independent album and established her artistic voice, earning recognition as one of the most influential women in Côte d’Ivoire. After relocating to San Francisco in 1999, she expanded her vision beyond performance, founding the African Arts Academy to bridge tradition and innovation, empower youth, and transform perceptions of African cultural heritage to celebrate cultural diversity.
Fely’s wide-ranging work reflects her belief that art can heal and transform communities for the better. She has released several albums, including YITA (Deep Water), a tribute to migrants and social justice, and has earned accolades such as a nomination for Top Independent Artist on the Billboard charts and an Independent Music Award for world-beat songwriting.
Beyond music and visual art, Fely has created platforms for cultural convergence, most notably the annual SF MODEFA (San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week), an event that showcases ethnic fashion, live music, dance, food, and art as a global marketplace for heritage and innovation.
Under her leadership, the African Arts Academy has earned community grants and taken leading roles in cultural advocacy. She is a founding board member of the San Francisco African American Arts & Cultural District and serves on the San Francisco-Abidjan Sister Cities Relations Committee.
With an unwavering commitment to cultural justice, intergenerational education, and creative entrepreneurship, Fely Tchaco continues to define a new paradigm for African-diaspora arts, one that honors ancestral wisdom where innovation meets tradition, embracing the new technologies and global networks of today.
Yves Bouele
Secretary
Yves Bouele stands as a bridge between cultures. Born and raised in the French part of Cameroon, Africa, Yves belongs to the Duala ethnic group, a vital portion of the Sawabantu, or “Coastal People.” After relocating to the United States to pursue his degree in applied mathematics, Yves now works as a software engineer and sits on the African Leaders Council in Orlando. Yves is determined to share his rich cultural heritage with the Central Florida community at this year’s FusionFest annual festival, embodying the belief that everything happens for a reason and we are all here to serve a purpose. Yves Bouele’s story is one of cultural intersection and personal growth. Born and raised in the French part of Cameroon, he hails from the Duala ethnic group, a Bantu people deeply ingrained in the coastal regions of Central Africa.
Irvin Tancieco
Treasurer
A Filipino immigrant whose journey began with humble beginnings and a self-driven passion for technology, Irvin is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (’23). Today, he leads a full-spectrum practice in tax and bookkeeping services for individuals, corporations, estates, and trusts as a licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) and Certified Tax Resolution Consultant (CTRC).
Irvin also brings with him a deep love for the performance arts. As a choreographer and performer, he has graced stages across San Francisco and the Bay Area in ballet, musical theater, and jazz/hip-hop. From the Hip Hop Dance Fest to brain cancer fundraising events to community performances at senior homes like Sequoia Home Care Facilities, Irvin uses his artistry to uplift and connect.
With a rare blend of technical precision, creative spirit, and unwavering integrity, Irvin brings rigor, transparency, and heart to stewarding our financial health. His leadership will support our continued mission to bridge ancient wisdom with modern innovation across the arts of Africa and the African Diaspora.
Emmanuel Nado
Media Partner and advisor
Emmanuel Nado is at the forefront of promoting African music and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is from Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa, a country that for many years has been the crossroad of African popular music. As a journalist, promoter, and radio producer, Nado is an active force in the African music scene in the U.S. In the early ’90s, his published articles on African music and the artists were eye-openers to many Bay Area African music aficionados.
Devi Seetharaman
COO, Producer MODEFA
Devi Seetharaman wears many hats, quite efficiently. On the technical front, Devi is an electronics and communication engineer who has worked as a database specialist in the IT industry. She was also the executive vice president of the PTA, has held important board positions, and has been the chairperson for major fundraising events. On the artistic front, Devi is a model, a singer, and a dancer. She has performed as a dancer for celebrity events, has been the semi-finalist among 500 contestants in a singing competition called ‘Galatta Idol,’ and has been walking the ramp as a model for the last few years. As a philanthropist and a humanitarian, she is passionate about promoting minority women artists and has joined hands with Fely Tchaco to produce the Modern Ethnic Fashion Show Gala in 2016.
Michelle Prior Alameda
Board of Directors
Head of Miss Diversity International
As the Director of Miss Diversity International, Michelle brings a lifelong passion for pageantry and inclusivity. Throughout her journey, she has held numerous titles, including Miss Solano County, Royalty Miss, Miss Black Global, and most recently, Mrs. Global California. Her experience in the Miss America pageant system inspired her to create the Miss Urban USA pageant—a platform dedicated to celebrating diversity and empowering women from all backgrounds.
In addition to being a seasoned pageant judge and coach, she is also an accomplished entrepreneur. After spending over 20 years at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, she founded Beyond Image Group and co-founded the International Glam Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area. She remains deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
